Megestrol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What is the drug Megestrol?

What is megestrol for?

Megestrol is a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer and endometrial cancer. This medicine contains the artificial hormone progesterone. Progesterone is the female sex hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and maintains pregnancy.

This drug can also be used to help increase appetite and body weight in people with HIV / AIDS (PLWHA). An increased appetite can affect the health and physical abilities of PLWHA so that they can do activities like other normal people.

Magestrol is a strong drug so it should not be used carelessly. While using this medicine, doctors and nurses will closely monitor you to monitor its effectiveness. Doctors may prescribe this medication alone or in combination with other treatments, including surgery and radiation to stop tumor growth.

There may be other functions of this drug that have not been mentioned. Please ask the doctor directly for more complete information.

How to use megestrol?

Megestrol is available in tablet and solution (liquid) form. Swallow the tablet whole with the help of plain water. Avoid grinding, crushing, or grinding the medicine as this can decrease its effectiveness.

As for liquid medicine, shake the medicine first before use. Make sure you are using a measuring spoon that is usually available in the package, not a regular table spoon.

Do not use liquid medicinal preparations if the medicinal liquid looks cloudy, has changed color, or has particles in it. Only use when the liquid looks clear.

It is not recommended that you increase or decrease the dose of medication without your doctor's knowledge. Taking medication that is not according to the rules can increase the risk of side effects.

Use the drug for the length of time determined by the doctor. Even if your symptoms have improved, do not stop treatment.

Medicines should not be used interchangeably with other people. Even if the person has the same symptoms as you. Because, the dosage of drugs for each person may vary.

So that you remember, take the medicine at the same time every day. You can also make a reminder on your cellphone or notebook if you have to take this medication in a certain cycle.

Immediately seek medical attention if your condition does not improve or your symptoms continue to worsen. The sooner it is treated, the easier the treatment will be.

In principle, use any type of drug as directed by your doctor or the instructions on the drug packaging label. Don't hesitate to consult a doctor if you don't really understand how to use it.

How to save megestrol?

Megestrol is a drug that should be stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Megestrol dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the megestrol dosage for adults?

To treat breast cancer, the recommended dose of the drug megestrol is 160 milligrams (mg) per day. Drugs can be given in single or divided doses.

Meanwhile, to treat endometrial cancer, drug dosage ranges from 40 to 320 mg per day in divided doses.

Each person will probably get a different dose. This is because the dosage is usually adjusted according to the patient's age, overall health condition, and their response to treatment.

Be sure to always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any type of medication. This is to ensure that you are taking the drug according to the recommended dosage.

In addition, use any medication according to the recommended dosage. Do not attempt to increase or decrease the dose without first consulting your doctor.

What is the megestrol dosage for children?

There is no provision for the dosage of megestrol for children. The dosage of drugs for children is usually adjusted according to their weight, health condition, and their response to treatment.

This drug can be dangerous for children if used improperly. Therefore, consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is megestrol available?

The drug megestrol is available as a liquid and tablet suspension.

Megestrol side effects

What are the side effects of the drug megestrol?

Some of the side effects that may occur when you are taking megestrol are:

• Nausea
• Bloated
• Diarrhea
• Increase in blood pressure
• Stomach ache
• Mild skin rash
• The body feels weak and weak

Although it is very rare, this drug also has the potential to cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Some signs of serious side effects that you need to watch out for include:

• Severe chest pain
• Shallow and chasing breath
• Hard to breathe
• Swelling of the face, mouth and throat
• Skin discoloration
• Weak muscles
• Feeling thirsty all the time
• Urinating frequently
• The body smells like fruit
• Bleeding cough
• Mood changes significantly
• Menstrual cycle changes
• Decreased sexual desire

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Megestrol Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using megestrol?

Some things you need to know and do before using megestrol drugs are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to megestrol or other types of cancer drugs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for the constituent list of this drug before you use it.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you are taking or will be taking regularly. Whether it's prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, to natural remedies made from herbal ingredients.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or have had a history of stroke or blood clotting disorders.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have diabetes and adrenal gland disorders.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• See a doctor immediately if your condition does not improve or gets worse.

Is megestrol safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Megestrol is a drug that is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Meanwhile, for breastfeeding mothers, there is no clear evidence whether this drug harms the baby or not. To avoid various negative possibilities, do not take this medicine carelessly or without the doctor's permission.

Megestrol Drug Interactions

What drugs may interact with megestrol?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

A number of drugs that have the potential to cause negative interactions with the drug megestrol are:

• acetohexamide
• albiglutide
• alogliptin
• aminoglutethimide
• amobarbital
• armodafinil
• bexarotene
• brigatinib
• butabarbital
• butalbital
• canagliflozin
• carbamazepine
• chlorpropamide
• cholestyramine
• clarithromycin
• colestipol
• conivaptan
• cyclosporine
• dabrafenib
• dalfampridine
• dapagliflozin
• darunavir
• deferasirox
• divalproex sodium
• dofetilide
• dronedarone
• dulaglutide
• duvelisib
• elagolix
• erythromycin
• eslicarbazepine
• etravirine
• exenatide
• fedratinib
• felbamate
• fostamatinib
• glimepiride
• griseofulvin
• insulin
• ivosidenib
• lapatinib
• lefamulin
• letermovir
• metformin
• nafcillin
• nateglinide
• nevirapine
• nilotinib
• omacetaxine
• oxcarbazepine
• pentobarbital
• phenobarbital
• phenylbutazone
• phenytoin
• pramlintide
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• rifapentine
• rufinamide

There may be other drugs that can interact with the drug megestrol. Please ask your doctor for more information.

Can food or alcohol interact with megestrol?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or around meals at certain foods or foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Ask your doctor about the safety of megestrol with food, drink, alcohol, or tobacco.

What health conditions can interact with megestrol?

The presence of other medical problems can affect the use of the drug megestrol. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes
• Adrenal gland disorders
• History of stroke or blood clots

Megestrol overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose of megestrol?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Bring a medicine box, container, or label with you when you go to the hospital to help the doctor with any necessary information.

When someone has overdosed on megestrol, various symptoms that may arise are:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose of megestrol?

If you miss a dose of megestrol, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your dosing schedule. Do not use extra doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you continue to miss doses, consider setting an alarm or asking a family member to remind you.

Please consult with your doctor to discuss changes in your dosing schedule or a new schedule to make up for a missed dose, if you have missed too many doses recently.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.